NZ Sommeliers Fundraising Auction at Webbs

Celia Hay

The NZ Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Fundraising evening at Webb’s Auction Gallery drew together an impressive selection of wines and gastronomic experiences and committed supporters who helped us raise nearly $30,000!

The evening started with Andrea Martinisi’s organoleptic verbal blind tasting of a red wine in front of our guests. He correctly determined that it was from Rioja. The wine was Macan 2019 a partnership of Vega Sicilia and Benjamin de Rothschild. Andrea then tasted two spirits in black glasses, concealing their colour.

He correctly identified the first beverage as a Rum and also impressively he got the correct producer, Flor de Cana from Nicaragua. Identifying the Lapostolle Silver Pisco from Chile, made of muscat grapes, alluded Andrea - more practise!

Andrea then decanted and presented a bottle of Chateau Kirwan to three guests including his former employer, Michael Dearth of The Grove and Baduzzi.

Canapés were prepared and presented by the NZ School of Food and Wine Level 4 Certificate in Cookery students led by Chef Steve Coyne and supported by Franck Laruelle.

At the auction

Many thanks to all our kind donors - see the list here.

Webbs auctioneer, Chris Wiseman then took to the podium to auction the 30 donated lots.

The wines for the evening were kindly donated by Normanby Fine Wines and served by our volunteer sommeliers including Committee member Nick Hewitt, Larissa Muller of Palate Restaurant, Hamilton, Nicole Turner of The Landing in the Bay of Island, Miguel Borges of Josh Emett Group and others

Domaine de la Bretauche Méthode Traditionelle

Famille Jaume Viognier Vin de France

Château Haut Pingat, Bordeaux AC